This is part one of a two part post.
These are the preparatory steps needed to modify a Classic Lee Loader made for .30 MI Carbine for use in making 7.62 Nagant revolver cartridges.
For those of you who are considering reloading for your M1895 Nagant revolver chambered in 7.62 Nagant (7.62x38R), here is an option you might want to consider. A little long winded, but I thought it might be of interest to some, since the M1985 Nagant revolvers are so common.
Instead of buying an expensive set of dies, with a little tweaking, you can use the Classic Lee Loader made for .30 MI Carbine. The steps here do not involve any permanent changes to the Lee Loader, so you can still use it for its original purpose.
I have done this successfully using once fired, boxer primed, Fiocchi 7.62 Nagant brass and it has also been tested by another individual. Boxer primed Hotshot brass also works.
IMPORTANT - The reloading data and dipper that come with the .30 M1 Carbine Lee Loader are NOT for the 7.62 Nagant cartridge and you must not use either. Gather appropriate load data for the 7.62 Nagant cartridge from a reloading manual and use that data. Once you have the appropriate data, get a new dipper from Lee in the appropriate size. I use a .3 cc dipper with the appropriate powder instead of the original dipper.
Before you decide to purchase a Classic Lee Loader in .30 MI Carbine, you might want to review the instructions available as a PDF file at the Lee Precision web site. See the link called Rifle Lee Loader here:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...uct/index.html
Unfortunately, the site does not have instructions for the Pistol Lee Loader, which are slightly different, but you will get the idea.
First, you need to make a new seater.
Here's how I did it:
1) Size an empty 7.62x38 (7.62 Nagant) case, per Lee Loader instructions. Using lube makes the job much easier.
2) Place the die body with the case on the decapping chamber. Remove the empty case from the die body using the priming rod to tap the case free from the die body into the decapping chamber.
3) Get a two inch long 5/16 bolt with 24 threads per inch. The bolt should have one inch of threads and one inch clear shaft at the bolt head. Cut the shaft of the bolt off as close to the head as possible, as square as possible.
4) Ensure that the cut portion of the shaft is flat. Taper or step the cut (non-threaded) portion of the shaft for about 3mm - 4mm. The diameter of this portion will be about .295".
5) Verify that the tapered or stepped portion of the shaft will fit into the sized case from step 1 above.
Next, you need to make case supports to fit into the decapping chamber. These are necessary because of the difference in the overall length of the .30 M1 Carbine cartridge compared to the 7.62 Nagant cartridge.
You can use nuts or washers. If using nuts, round the angles off just enough to fit into the decapping chamber.
Drill out the center hole in nuts / washers to about 7/32" (.218"). The hole must be larger in diameter than a primer, to avoid accidentally setting of a primer during the seating step. Having a mix of both nuts and washer provides for some flexibility, depending on the case length.
You will use these parts to load the 7.62 Nagant revlver cartridges per the steps in the second post below.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
And, as always, any feedback is appreciated.
Dan
These are the preparatory steps needed to modify a Classic Lee Loader made for .30 MI Carbine for use in making 7.62 Nagant revolver cartridges.
For those of you who are considering reloading for your M1895 Nagant revolver chambered in 7.62 Nagant (7.62x38R), here is an option you might want to consider. A little long winded, but I thought it might be of interest to some, since the M1985 Nagant revolvers are so common.
Instead of buying an expensive set of dies, with a little tweaking, you can use the Classic Lee Loader made for .30 MI Carbine. The steps here do not involve any permanent changes to the Lee Loader, so you can still use it for its original purpose.
I have done this successfully using once fired, boxer primed, Fiocchi 7.62 Nagant brass and it has also been tested by another individual. Boxer primed Hotshot brass also works.
IMPORTANT - The reloading data and dipper that come with the .30 M1 Carbine Lee Loader are NOT for the 7.62 Nagant cartridge and you must not use either. Gather appropriate load data for the 7.62 Nagant cartridge from a reloading manual and use that data. Once you have the appropriate data, get a new dipper from Lee in the appropriate size. I use a .3 cc dipper with the appropriate powder instead of the original dipper.
Before you decide to purchase a Classic Lee Loader in .30 MI Carbine, you might want to review the instructions available as a PDF file at the Lee Precision web site. See the link called Rifle Lee Loader here:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...uct/index.html
Unfortunately, the site does not have instructions for the Pistol Lee Loader, which are slightly different, but you will get the idea.
First, you need to make a new seater.
Here's how I did it:
1) Size an empty 7.62x38 (7.62 Nagant) case, per Lee Loader instructions. Using lube makes the job much easier.
2) Place the die body with the case on the decapping chamber. Remove the empty case from the die body using the priming rod to tap the case free from the die body into the decapping chamber.
3) Get a two inch long 5/16 bolt with 24 threads per inch. The bolt should have one inch of threads and one inch clear shaft at the bolt head. Cut the shaft of the bolt off as close to the head as possible, as square as possible.
4) Ensure that the cut portion of the shaft is flat. Taper or step the cut (non-threaded) portion of the shaft for about 3mm - 4mm. The diameter of this portion will be about .295".
5) Verify that the tapered or stepped portion of the shaft will fit into the sized case from step 1 above.
Next, you need to make case supports to fit into the decapping chamber. These are necessary because of the difference in the overall length of the .30 M1 Carbine cartridge compared to the 7.62 Nagant cartridge.
You can use nuts or washers. If using nuts, round the angles off just enough to fit into the decapping chamber.
Drill out the center hole in nuts / washers to about 7/32" (.218"). The hole must be larger in diameter than a primer, to avoid accidentally setting of a primer during the seating step. Having a mix of both nuts and washer provides for some flexibility, depending on the case length.
You will use these parts to load the 7.62 Nagant revlver cartridges per the steps in the second post below.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
And, as always, any feedback is appreciated.
Dan
